Poker not in the cards for defendants in Vegas FBI ruse case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge says a Malaysian businessman and his son can’t play poker at Las Vegas casinos while they await a ruling on whether the FBI illegally entered their hotel suites to investigate what prosecutors say was a $13 million illegal Internet gambling ring.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Hoffman said Thursday he won’t lift an order for Wei Seng “Paul” Phua and his son, Darren Wai Kit Phua, not to gamble while they’re free on a combined $2.5 million bail.

Hoffman rejected defense lawyers’ arguments that poker poses no risk, and their assurances that the Phuas wouldn’t flee the country.